A clip shared on TikTok shows a King's Guard ordering a woman to step back and not touch him after she smiled while posing for a photo outside Buckingham Palace
A video has emerged on social media showing a King's Guard screaming at a tourist who put her arm around him while taking a photo outside Buckingham Palace.
The clip, which was shared on TikTok account @thekingsguardsofficial, shows a woman smiling next to a guard dressed in full armour.
But after touching the guard and getting too close to him, the tourist was told off, appearing scared and surprised at his reaction.
In the footage, the guard, holding a large sword, can be seen stamping his foot and turning towards the woman before shouting: "Do not touch the King's Life Guard!"
The video was seen over a million times and divided people's opinion, with some saying that the guard's reaction was justified and one branding him "impolite" and "dramatic".
A person commented: "He's not a show attraction he's there to guard the king. Got a job to do."
Another TikToker wrote: "I mean how many times do people have to be told to stay out of their way, don't treat them like photo props and don't touch their horses.... like."
But some people appeared disappointed at the guard's reaction, with one writing: "Why does he have to yell like that though. Relax guy."
In December last year, another King's Guard was filmed screaming at a tourist as she slapped his horse.
A young woman wearing a white and blue coat was filmed posing for a photo with a soldier who was stationed at Horse Guards Parade in London's Whitehall.
The unidentified woman was filmed standing next to the animal - ready to pose for a photo - as it moved its muzzle closer to her shoulder.
She then seemed to brazenly slap the animal on the nose and grins for the camera, before putting her hands back in her pocket.
The guard screamed: "Stand back!"
In September 2022, a King's Guard told a little girl to "stand clear" as he walked to the outside space at Horse Guards Parade, which prompted her to break into a tearful outburst as she rushed to find her parents.
The interaction could be watched on the video as the child run away after being shouted at.
The guard was part of the senior regiment of the British Army, who have been protecting royal households for hundreds of years.
They are famous for their red outfits and can be spotted standing stoically outside royal landmarks such as Buckingham Palace.
Royal guards are not generally allowed to talk to the public but can occasionally shout a warning in some circ*mstances, for example when people obstruct them or there is a threat to safety.
Guards are not generally allowed to talk to the general public, but in certain circ*mstances, such as when people obstruct them, they can shout a warning to get them to move.
The soldiers come from active regiments in the British Army, and any action deemed threatening, regardless of how minor, can cause them to react forcefully. If a member of the public touches them or their horse or invades their space, they are allowed to shout clear verbal commands at them to back off.
To become a member of the King's Guard, recruits must pass the British Army Recruit Battery (BARB) test. As of 2024, the average salary for a UK soldier is £23,496. However pay can vary, with an infantryman's annual salary being £18,687 compared to the average Army Officer salary of £37,425.
This is because the Queen's guards are expected to display the utmost professionalism, in spite of being a marvel for tourists across the globe. Some rumours have suggested that the guards are fined for smiling; however, this isn't the case.
Contrary to popular belief, the members of the Royal Guard are allowed to talk, but only in very specific circ*mstances: if people get too close to them or become aggressive. Oh, side note, try not to get in their way because they'll most likely knock you over! You'll also never see one of them smiling for a selfie.
“One should never touch a member of the Queen's Guard,” according to Londontopia. “If this is the case, they are actually allowed to shout warnings at you to make you go away. If people start acting aggressively, the soldiers can even present their bayonets to them.”
The Guard's intimidating weapons only have ammo in them when they are aware of a potential serious security threat. The guard on Reddit, who uses the username “nibs123,” says that he has never carried a loaded gun as a Guardsman.
But what about laughing while on duty? This is a big no no. If a royal guard ever chuckles. or breaks their stone demeanor, they face a 200 pound deduction from their pay. That's why, despite tourist best efforts, you rarely see them laugh. or even crack a smile.
Contrary to popular belief, the soldiers are allowed to move and the Guards'. shifts are often 2 hours on and 4 hours off. However, if they do end up having to relieve themselves during their shifts, they're instructed to just do it where they stand.
The members of the King's Guard wear tall and very unique hats, which are believed to have been designed to make the infantry appear more fearsome and tall during confrontations and battles. These same hats were already used in the Napoleonic wars, as well as by Napoleon's Imperial Guard, who also came to wear them.
Serving female soldiers acting as the Queen's bodyguard have asked the Army for a name-change. Privates in the Foot Guards are all known as Guardsmen whether they are male or female.
Most members of the Royal Guard are living and working in the U.K., for example during ceremonial duties at Buckingham Palace. They can live at barracks, or benefit from low rents in military family houses.
The guards at Buckingham Palace and St James Palace are on duty for 24 or 48 hours. During that time a Guardsman will have 2 hours on sentry duty and then 4 hours off.
But what about laughing while on duty? This is a big no no. If a royal guard ever chuckles. or breaks their stone demeanor, they face a 200 pound deduction from their pay. That's why, despite tourist best efforts, you rarely see them laugh. or even crack a smile.
But they have some pretty good motivation to resist the temptation. If a guard smiles while on duty, the fine can be up to $200. Not so funny after all.
It is not allowed for you to touch or threaten a queen's guard, but can they yell or knock you over if you get in their way? Yes - they are professional soldiers doing a job, not Disneyland performers.
Introduction: My name is Dr. Pierre Goyette, I am a enchanting, powerful, jolly, rich, graceful, colorful, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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